Door check and closer.



J. GERARD.

DOOR CHECK AND CLOSER.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 5. 1915.

Z 1, 1 7 g 0 s /fnw 0 Patented Feb. 1, 1916.

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J. GERARD.-

DOOR CHECK AND CLOSER.

APPLICATION HLED, NOV. s. 1915.

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Patented. Feb

4 S H E ETS THE COLUMBIA PLANOCIRAPH cu., WAsHINUTDN, D. C.

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DOOR CHECK AND CLOSER.

APPLICATION FILED NOV- 5, I915.

Patented Feb. 1, 1916.

uawl'oz Ward J. GERARD.

DOOR CHECK AND CLOSER. APPLICATION FILED NOV. 5, 1915.

1,170,482. Patented Feb. 1, 1916.

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TTNTTE TTAE PATT @FFTQE.

JOHN GERARD, OFNEW BRITAIN, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO THE AMERICAN HARD V/ARE CORPORATION, OF NEW BRITAIN, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION OF CON- NECTICUT.

DOOR CHECK AND CLOSER.

Application filed November 5, 1915.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN GERARD, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at New Britain, Connecticut, have in.- vented new and useful Improvements in Door Checks and Closers, of which the following is a specification. l

The main object of my invention is to provide a simple and reliable construction for controlling the movement of a door, which construction may be so installed that it is entirely concealed when the door is closed.

Another object is to provide mechanism of this character which can be applied to either a right hand or left hand swinging door.

Another object is to provide a construction of this character which is particularly adapted to thin. doors for instance, of sheet metal construction.

Another object is to so construct and arrange the parts that the door may be opened to substantially 180.

manufacture and assemble.

The invention in its preferred form is illustrated in the accompanying four sheets of drawings.

The principal parts of the check and closer are arranged in a relatively long and thin casing adapted to be fitted into the upper edge of a door. The closing action is effected by means of a plurality of springs arranged one above the other. The checking action is effected by means of a piston with a valve and bypass 'of any suitable type. An interiorly toothed reciprocating member is interposed between the closing springs and the checking piston. A toothed spindle mounted in the casing is adapted to engage a set of teeth in the reciprocating Specification of Letters Patent. I

PatentedlFeb. 1, 1916.

Serial No. 59,726.

member for operating it. The upper end of this spindle is ar "anged in a pocketed opening at one side of the door at its upper edge and is connected to the door casing for instance, by means of a pair of arms adapted to fold into a pocket in one face of the door casing at the side of the upper edge of the door so that when the door is closed all the operating parts are entirely concealed.

Details of the construction will be understood from the following description.

Figure 1, is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the construction installed with the door partly open. Fig. 2, is a vertical cross sectional view on the plane of the line 2-2 of Fig. 3, showing the parts in the closed position. Fig. 3, is a horizontal sectional viewand plan on the general plane of the line 3-3 of Fig. 2. Fig. l, is a similar section and plan but with the door shown wide open. Fig. 5, is a fragmentary view representing the check and closer installed for instance in a wooden door. Fig. 6, is a longitudinal vertical sectional view of the principal parts of the check and closer. Fig. 7, is a longitudinal horizontal sectional view on the plane of the line 77 of Fig. 6. Fig. 8, is a vertical transverse sectional view on the plane of the line 8-8 of Fig. 6. Fig. 9, is a fragmentary vertical longitudinal sectional view showingthe method of assembling the closing springs. Fig. 10, is a detail perspective view of one-half of the power transmitting member. Fig. 11, is a detail perspective view of the cover or closer for the end of the spring chamber.

The casing 15 inclosing the principal parts of the mechanism is preferably relatively long and thin so that it may be used in a very 71 thin door. The spindle 16 is supported at the bottom of the casing and passes through a packing gland 17 in the usual manner. The transmitting member 18 through which the spindle passes is preferably formed in two parts and is substantially rectangular in vertical cross section as shown in Fig. 2 so that it cannot turn in the casing. The two parts may be secured together in any suitable manner, for instance, by rivets such as 19. The spindle 16 is provided with a number of teeth 20 around one face and the transmitting member 18 is provided with recesses 21 forming teeth between the recesses with which the teeth 20 of the spindle are adapted to mesh, as the spindle rotates in one direction or the other. By this construction the upper and lower edges of the teeth are in effect connected by means of ribs and 52 1- which greatly reinforces the same. A shallow entering notch such as 25 may be provided at the upper end of one or both of the parts of the transmitting memher so as to accommodate one or more teeth on the spindle and permit the spindle to be readily inserted in assembling the parts. A passage 26 is provided through one end of the transmitting member for the free passage of the checking liquid within the easing. Lateral openings 27 and 28 are also preferablyprovided for the liquid to facilitate its movement and also to lubricate the transmitting member in its reciprocating action.

-The closing effect is produced by a plurality of springs such as 30, 30 arranged one above the other and abutting at one end against the stationary ledges 31 and 31 and with the other end surrounding the projections 82 and 32 of the transmitting member The stationary plate 33 extends between the two springs so as to prevent them from interferring with each other. A screw 34: inserted in the filling opening 3-1 holds the upper spring from buckling upward. The springs are adapted to be inserted through an opening 36 in the end of the casing one at a time, the upper spring being inserted first and pushed upward into the position shown in Fig. 9 and then the lower spring being inserted and pushed downward in place. The closure orcover for the opening 36 is made up of the parts 37, 37 with a packing sheet 38 between them. The inner part 8'? fits the opening 36 and the part 38 is secured to the casing for instance, by screws 89.. The plate 33 may be secured to the closure by the screw 40. It will be noticed that the pressure of the springs is exerted against the stationary shoulders 31 and 31 in the casing instead of against the cover or closure '37. This avoids straining the cover and consequently possibility of leal rage of the checking liquid. The extension 41 of the spring chamber not only permits the parts to be assembled as shown in Fig. 9, but also serves as an air expansion space so as to avoid the tendency of the liquid to work up out of the casing around or through the packing gland 17. i

. The checking piston 45 is connected by a rod 46 to the pin 47 at one end of the transmitting member 18. This piston may be provided with a suitable valve and passage 48 and by-pass. l9 and valve 50 as is customary. A tubular member 51 is preferably is provided leading to the by-pass screw 50.

This acts as a guide for the screw-driver in adjusting the by-pass valve and also serves to prevent the screw 50 from tipping over when it is entirely retracted from its seat.

from its seat in the casing 15 far enough to,

protrude above the upper edge of thetube 51.

The cover plate 52 is preferably provided to extend over the entire upper part only leaving an opening 52 for adjusting the by pass valve. V 7

As before stated, the construction is particularly adapted to be inserted within the upper edge of a door and entirely concealed therein. As shown, the mechanism is inserted in the door 53 near the hinged edge 54. The arms 55 and'56 are hingedtogether at 57. Que end of the arm 55 is connected to the upper end of the spindle 16 and the opposite end of the arm 56 is connected to a pin or bolt 58 in the door casing at one side of the upper edge of the door. A pocket 59 is provided in the door casing at one side to accommodate the arm 56 and part of the arm 55 when the door is closed The upper edge of the door is provided with a slot 60 for the end of the arm 55 adjacent the spindle 16. Preferably a bottom plate 61 is casing in place for instance, by means of one or more screws such as 70 (see Fig. 5). In I case the wooden door is very thin it may be desirable to provide side plates such as 71 secured to the sides of the door for instance by screws such as 72 and secured to the sides of the casing 15 for instance by'means of screws such as 73. I V

The proportions and relative locations of the parts are such that although the spring is continually compressed in opening the door to the position shownin Fig. i, the tension exerted to close the door from this position represents only about a third of the tension exerted to hold the door in its closed position. I

It will be obvious from the foregoing that the mechanism as shown may be applied to either a right hand or left hand door by simply reversing the arm.

. It will also be'obvious that although I have shown and described the mechanism as applied to an overhead concealed type of construction, that details of the improvements such as the construction of the transmitting member 18, the method of mounting and guiding the closing springs and the guide tube for the bypass valve are also adapted to other types of door checks and closers.

What I claim is 1. In a construction ofthe character described, the combination with a hinged door and its casing, of a door check an'dcloser concealed in the upper edge of the door adjacent its hinge, and a jointed connection between said check and closer and the sta tionary door casing, connected at one side of the upper edge of the door, said door casing being provided with a pocket and the upper edge of the door being provided with a slot to permit the jointed connection to be entirely concealed when the door is closed.

2. In a construction of the character described, the combination of a hinged door and door-casing having opposed faces meeting in the closed position of the door, the meeting faces ofsaid door and door casing having recesses therein and one of said members beingrecessed to receive a door check and closer, a door check and closer seated in said recessedportion, an armconnected to said door check and closer and extending out through the recess in said memin the other member, whereby when the door is closed, said jointed arms Will be received and concealed in the recesses in the meeting faces of the door and casing.

3. In a construction of the character described, the combination with a door and its casing, of a relatively thin door check and closer, said door having a recess in the upper portion thereof receiving said door check and closer and a .slot in the side of the door which faces the casing and said casing having a pocket therein inthe side which faces the door. an arm connected to the door check and closer and extending out through the slot in the'side ofthe door. and a second arm pivoted at one end to the free end of the first arm and pivotally connected at its opposite end in the pocket in the door casing.

4; In a construction of the character described, the combination with a hinged door and its casing, said door and easing having opposed faces substantially meeting in the closed position of the door, a door check and closer mounted in the door, jointed arms connected between the door check andcloser andthe door casing, the meeting faces of said door and door casing having recesses therein, receiving said jointed arms in the closed position of the door.

5. In a construction of the character described, a transmitting member of general rectangular cross section having a vertical passage-way therethrough, gear teeth at the opposite sides of said passage-way and ion gitudinal ribs at the upper and lower edges of said passage-way connecting said gear t(-3Gtl1,'{1I1Cl a spindle engaged in said passage-way and having gear teeth for meshing with the gear teeth at the sides of the passage-way, one of the ribs aforesaid having an entering notch therein permitting entrance of the toothed portion of the spindle into the passage -way in the transmitting member. a

6. In a door check and closer, a relatively thin fluid tight casing having a spring chamber in one end, a cylindrical portion in its opposite end and a substantially rectangular intermediate portion, a substantially rectangular reciprocating transmitting member fitting in said substantially rectai'igular intermediate portion of the easingand guided and supported against rotation by the walls thereof, said transmitting member having a vertical passage-wav therethrough with gear teeth at the opposite sides of said passage-way, an upright spindle journaled in the intermediate portion of the casing with its lower end received in thepassage-way' in the transmitting member and provided with gear teeth for meshing with the teeth on said transmitting member, a spring in, the spring chamber acting againstthe adjacent end of the transmitting member, a piston connected with the opposite end of the transmitting member and working in the cylindrical end portion of the casing, and an arm connected with the upright spindle.

7. In a construction of thecharacter described, a transmitting member formed in two parts and provided with grooves in opposite faces forming teeth, said parts having relatively shallow entering notches at the upper edge connecting with some of said grooves.

8. In a construction of the character described, a transmitting member of general rectangular cross section, a spindle passing through said member and adapted to coact therewith, said member having openings in the sides at opposite ends for the passage of the checking liquid and lubricated thereby.

9. In a door check and closer, a transmitting member formed of two parts, gen erally rectangular in cross section and provided with teeth connected at their upper and lower ends by means of ribs.

10. In a door check and closer, a casing having a spring receiving opening in one wall thereof, a reciprocating transmitting member mounted in said casing, a spring in said casing inserted through the opening in the wall thereof and engaging the reciprocating transmitting member at one end and bearing against the, wall of the casing adjoining the spring receiving opening therein at its opposite end, whereby said spring is'firrnly supported by a wall of the casing, a movable closure to the spring receiving opening in the wall of the casing, a checking piston in the casing operated by the transmitting member, a, spindle operated by the transmitting member, and a door closing arm connected to said spindle.

11. In a door closer, a casing having a rigid end wall with an opening therein, a reciprocating transmitting member mounted in the casing with its end opposite the opening in the end wall, an operating spring insertible through the o-pening'in the end wall into engagement with the end of the transmitting member, said spring being displace able laterally after the insertion in the casing to bring the outermost end thereof into engagement with a portion of the rigid end Wall surrounding the spring receiving opening therein, and a closure to said spring receiving opening. a a p 12. In a door closer, a rotary spindle, a

transmitting member connected thereto and having upper end lower projections at one end thereof, a casing, upper and lower springs engaging stationary parts of the casing and engaging said. projections and a spacing plate arranged between the ends of said springs adjacent said casing. 13. In a door check and closer, a casing having arigid end wall with an opening therein, an operating spindle, a reciprocating member connected thereto, a plurality of springs engaging said reciprocating member acting against said rigid end wall of said casing, a closure for said opening and a spacing plate carried by said closure.

14. In a door closer, a casing having a rigid end-wall with an opening therein, a reciprocating transmitting member, a plurality of springs interposed between said transmitting member and the rigid end wall of said casing, said casing having an extension spaced above, said opening and means for pressing the upper spring downward from said space.

15. In a door closer, a casing having a rigid end wall with on opening therein, a reciprocatingtransmitting member mounted in the casing Withits end opposite the opening, in the endv wall, operating springs insertible through the opening inthe end wall into: engagement with the end of the transmitting member, said springs being displaceable laterally after the'insertion in the easing to bring the outermost ends thereof into engagement with the portion of the rigid end wall surrounding the opening therein,

said casing having an extension at one side of the opening therein to receive one of the springs while said springs are being assembled in the casing, and a closure to the spring receiving opening.

16. In a. door closer, a fluid-tight casing having a spring compartment, said spring compartment having an extensionin the upting member, and an adjustable closure to the filling opening extending down into engagement with the spring in the ,sprmg chamber to thereby hold said spring in place. n I p 17. A door check andcloser comprising, a relatively thin casing having a spring chamber in one end thereof, and the end wall of said spring chamber having an opening therein to permit insertion of the springs in this chamber, said spring chamber having an extension at one side thereof to permit lateral displacement of the springs, in assembling l the same in the chamber, a longitudinally reciprocating transmitting member mounted in the casing and provided with projections on the end adjacent the spring chamber, springs: in the spring chamber engaging atone end over the projections on the end. of .the transmitting member and bearing attheir opposite ends against the end wall of the spring chamber at the side of the opening therein, a closure to the spring-entering opening in the end wall of the spring chamber, a separating wall between the springs and a spindle journaled in the casing and operatively connected with the transmitting member.

18. In a construction of the character described, the combination of a hinged door and door casing having opposed faces meeting in the closed position of the door, the

meeting faces of said door and door casing having recesses therein,.and one of said members being recessed to receive a door check and closer, a door check and closer seated in said recessed portion, and an arm connected to said door check and closer and.

extending out through the recess in said member and means in the recess in the other member for operatively connecting said arm with said casing whereby when the door is closedsaid connection between the door and door casing will be received and wholly concealed in the recesses in the meeting faces of the door and casing. I

19. In a construction of the character described, the combination with a door and its casing, of a relatively thin door check and closer, said door having a recess in the upper portion thereof receiving said door check and closer and a slot in the side of the 7 door which faces the casing and said casing having a pocket therein in the side which faces the door, and an arm connected to the door check and closer extending out through the slot in the side of the door and means in the pocket in the door casing for opera tively connecting the said arm with said casing. I

20. In a construction of the character described, the combination With a door casing and a door having a recess in the upper edge thereof and side plates at opposite sides of said recess, one of said side plates having a slot therein constituting an entrance slot to the recess in the top of the door, a door closer let into the recess in the top of the door, securing meanscarried by the side plates of the door and engaging said door closer to anchor the same in the recess in which it is seated, a spindle carried by the door closer and an arm on said spindle projecting out through the slot in the side plate of the door and secured to the door casing.

21. In a construction of the character described, the combination with a door casing and a door having side plates With a recess therebetween, of a door check let into said recess between said side plates and provided with supporting lugs resting on the door structure at opposite ends of the recess therein, one of said side plates having a slot therein and an operating arm connected With the door closer and projecting through said slot and secured to the door casing.

JOHN GERARD.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. 

